Disclaimer: "Ranma ½", "Sailor Moon", "Star Trek" and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 87
My home…my world…had died, from a disruptor in the back. My mother's foolish decision to flee our commune had cost her not only her life, but also the life that I shared with her. How could she leave Father like that? How could she leave the house that she had made with my father?
As they carried my mother's still form away, all I could think of is how proud I am to be a Romulan…
2367 CE: Q'onos (Klingon Homeworld).
"Ah, my old friend," Kang the Conqueror said, as he greeted his "blood brother" Lt/Com. Ranma Saotome. "It is good to see you again, in spite of what has happened these past years.
"Tell me about it," Ranma said, as he straightened himself out. The last time he was here, Yeoman Lt. Worf was accused of dishonor for what his father Mogh had supposedly had done on Narendra III. However, Science Officer Usagi Tsukino, who was assigned aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise-C for a short tour, had testified in front of the Klingon High Council that Worf's father was not a traitor. This was based upon detail analysis on data information that Usagi had deciphered during the battle against three Romulan Warbirds. Unfortunately, due to politics, this testimony was suppressed, forcing Worf to take on the badge of "discommendation" for his family. As a favor to Ranma, Kang made sure Worf's long-lost brother Kurn was protected from scrutiny.
"Wine?"
"Sure," Ranma replied, as he accepted his mug. "By the way, have you heard anything from 'The Albino'?"
"No, I'm afraid not. However, I have it on authority that he is supplying the Duras family their arms and warriors."
"Well, then this bit of news will cheer you up," Ranma said, as he presented an iso-linear data chip to Kang.
"What's this?"
"This contains a detail analysis of Romulan involvement."
"Curses!"
"As far as we know, the Romulans support the Duras family because such an alliance would cause a wedge between the Federation and the Klingon Empire."
"I see."
"However, I did make a request of the Anla'Shok to run interference, so that whatever move the Romulans make will be heavily scrutinized."
"I am glad of that, my brother. While I appreciate the help of outsiders, this…Civil War is an internal affair."
"So you have chosen to side with Gowron openly?"
"Yes. If nothing else, my actions will keep most of the Greater Houses from siding with the traitors."
Ranma nods indeed. In spite of the constant overtures, many of the greater territories, such as Minbar, Q'onos, Vorlon, Narnia, Centuari Prime, have refused to be "folded" into the Federation as member states, which is why Earth STILL has dual membership with both the Federation and the Alliance. There have been talks of the Federation being part of the Galactic Alliance, but nothing solid yet.
There was much to think about these days…
My nanny is always sad. Then again, she was very close to my mother. But she shouldn't be sad; it was Mother's fault for breaking her promise to not run away! I try to cheer her up all the time. That helps somewhat, but still…Nanny is always sad.
My father is thinking about taking her as his new consort, but Father's friends are hesitant in allowing him to take another 'human' as wife. I have heard stories about Nanny's importance to father and his friends…how she is close to the "Bane" of our people. I don't believe the stories they say about her. She isn't bad…right?
Lt/Com. Usagi Tsukino-Saotome closed her book, and sighed. It was eerily quiet in the Saotome residence aboard the Enterprise-D with Lianna returning to Oa, taking Aikiko with her to train her in the ways of her developing psychokinetic powers. It was also quiet since Ranma's granddaughter Keiko is still on her extended honeymoon with Miles O'Brien on Earth. It'll be had to deal with this…"empty-nest" syndrome for a while…
Usagi was also thinking about what has been going on with this "Klingon Civil War" that is going on between the supporters of the Duras family and the rest of the Klingon Empire, and how Worf has decided to leave his Starfleet commission in order to earn his family honor during this time of war. The war would not have had started, if the Duras sisters- Lursa and B'Etor –had not challenged Lord Gowron's rite of ascension, by presenting Toral, the illegitimate son of the late Duras. And since Captain Picard did not want to involve Starfleet in an internal affair, he was forced to leave Klingon space, even though it meant leaving Worf behind. However, he was glad that Ranma had succeeded in getting the support of the Anala'Shok, thereby preventing outsiders from interfering.
Speaking of which, there was something peculiar going on with the Romulans. From her and Ranma's research, there was one person amongst the Romulans who was entrusted with the plan to support the Duras clan. That person was-
"Commander Tsukino, please report to the main conference room," said Picard over the PA system.
"Understood," Usagi said, as she sat the book down. From the sensor logs, they were being visited by a Romulan warbird. Most likely, the Captain wants a "Romulan expert" on hand…
As Usagi steps off turbolift, and onto the Bridge, a visibly shaken Lt/Com. Tasha Yar greeted her.
"Tasha, what's wrong?"
"I don't know, Usagi," Tasha says. "But I…I need to talk to you as soon as you are finished with our…'guest'."
Usagi nods, and is met by Picard and Counselor Troi.
"I have spoken with our…guest about our present situation," Picard begins, "but I think that this is a matter that you will need to deal with personally. And then WE will need to have a talk."
Usagi nods, as she turns to Counselor Troi.
"Will you-"
"If you want me to, Usagi," Troi says, as she held Usagi's shoulders.
"Good."
Soon, Usagi enters the conference room…and sees the back of a…blond-haired Romulan?
"You broke your promise, you know," said the female Romulan sub-commander…in Romulan.
"It is difficult to explain my actions…Sela," Usagi replied likewise.
Sela turns around, and reveals the fact that she looked exactly like her mother…Tasha Yar.
Of course, the demi-Romulan sported the pre-requisite pointy ears.
"Then explain, Nanny. Explain why you allowed yourself to be released, when you promised to leave me…like my mother did."
Usagi sighed. She thought about how this entire situation had begun…
2344 CE: Narendra III."…We're taking heavy casualties!" said the curly-haired Lt. Richard Castillo (CONN).
Captain Rachel Garret, commanding officer of the USS Enterprise-C, silently cursed. What was supposed to have been a routine survey mission has turned out to be a Romulan attack on a Klingon outpost. Now, out-numbered and out-gunned, Garret was looking for a desperate solution.
So she turned to her resident, albeit temporary, science officer.
"Miss Tsukino, do you have any suggestions as to what we should do?"
Usagi, who was furiously going over the sensor logs, ignored the request. Technically, she was a civilian. But because she had been a Starfleeter in a previous life (so to speak), she was assigned to the Enterprise-C as a "Warrant Officer".
"Miss Tsukino?"
"I believe we can make a strategic retreat, vis-à-vis the impulse engines."
Castillo turns towards Garret.
"That's insane!" Castillo says. "We don't have much power to spare!"
"We only need to just enough juice to perform an unconventional warp jump."
"But Captain-!"
Garret thinks for a moment.
"Do it."
Usagi nods, and puts her program into motion…
BLIP!
However, instead of moving through space, the Enterprise-C moved through time. This would have a profound effect on the events to come.
2366 CE.
Military logcombat date 43625.2. While investigating an unusual radiation anomaly, the Enterprise-D has encountered what could almost be called a ghost from its own past - the Enterprise-C, the immediate predecessor to this battleship.
Starfleet Captain Ranma Saotome mused, as his first officer, Commander Will Riker reports the discovery of the previously missing Enterprise-C, which was thought to be have destroyed from a Romulan attack. He absently felt the eye-patch over the hole where his left eye should have been; Ranma had lost his eye after an honor dual with his late-blood brother Kang, and chose to keep the "scar" in honor of his fallen friend.
"Commander Data, what does the sensor logs say?"
"There is recent damage on the hull and the nacelles," Data replied. "And there are signs of life aboard the ship."
Ranma nods his head. He then turns to his Tactical Chief.
"Lt. Yar, what's our status?"
"We are safe at the moment, though long-range scans indicated the encorching Klingon-Cardassian fleet."
"Great," Ranma said, as he gets up. "Commander Riker, you assemble an Away Team to investigate the status of the Enterprise-C. If unsalvagable, initiate the that ship's self-destruct device."
"Aye, sir."
"Commander Troi, you have the Bridge," Ranma says, as he leaves his post.
PsyCorp member Commander Deanna Troi nods, as she takes her post. Ever since PsyCorp expanded its jusridiction, its authority has expanded to include non-Terran pyschics. So Troi wore the pre-requisite black clothes and gloves, and wore her hair in a tight bun. This gave her a rather Nazi-esque look.
"Aye, sir."
As Ranma walks towards his quarters, he surveys all that he sees. His crew operated old-school military, as they went about their business for military preparedness. He was proud of his crew, and all that was accomplished under his command. Coupled with his tactics, the Enterprise-D was the first amongst the fleet of ships dedicated to the protection of the Federation.
And it made him very, very sad.
For years, since coming to this twisted "universe", Ranma fought to free humanity from the yoke of the "Sith Lord" Empress Serenity's rule, from her seat of power in the Lucas Galaxy. However, it was not until 2267 CE, that, with the help of Spock of Vulcan, Ranma was able to cause a rift between Serenity and her pawn Queen Hoshi of Crystal Tokyo, thereby forcing the two out in open warfare. And after a brief civil war, the Terran Empire earned its independence, and then became much more benevolent under the helm of the new Chancellor Spock. Unfortunately, this openness invited waves of new enemies, many of which were under the brutal yoke of Queen Hoshi. However, things have gone from bad to worst, when the Klingon Empire joined the fray, after being convinced that Earth responsible for the attack of the Klingon outpost on Nerandra III twenty-two years ago. Thus, the Terran Empire has been in a state of constant warfare, and, in many ways, has reverted to type…unfortunately.
Ranma enters his quarters somewhat tired. He felt that it was ironic that he was Queen Hoshi top Starfleet field officer, since she had been once one of his most staunchest foes. Still, he was determined to defeat the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance one way or another. And if Starfleet is able to mount a decisive victory in the up-coming battle in a key sector, then the next step is to set up operations to free the humans captured and enslaved in and around Cardassaian and Klingon territories.
"You look tired," said a female voice.
Ranma looked up to see his woman Princess Talia, and Orion green-skinned woman. She was given to him after a successful raid of a Klingon supply chain in and around Orion Sector. Talia was given to Ranma as a reward for his actions, as well as a show of good faith between the Earth Empire and the Orions. Truth to be told, Talia was more than just a servant; she was the eyes, ears and voice of her people.
Of course the companion and physical attraction helps.
Talia wrapped her arms around her man.
"I take it you had a busy day at the office?"
"Yeah. Actually, I have a mystery to deal with."
"Oh?"
"A Federation ship appeared out of nowhere, so I sent Riker to see what's up."
"Well, perhaps this new ship will help in the war effort of yours."
"Of OURS. Queen Hoshi promised to protect Orion, and that's a promise I intend to stick."
"And that's why I love you…"
Talia kisses Ranma deeply.
"I thought Orion women were suppose to love their men…just dominate them."
"Of course we are, Ranchan! But loving you is MY personal perk. Do you have some time to…play with me?"
"Yeah, I got a few minutes."
"I seriously think that you'll last THAT long…"
Back on the Enterprise-C…
"Report," Garret commanded.
"Well, we're dead in the water, thanks to Miss Tsukino's 'experiment'," Castillio says with a smirk.
"Hey, we're not getting blown up, right?" Usagi said.
"Perform a sensor sweep then," Garret says. "I want to know where we are-"
BRRRING!
"Freeze!" Riker yells, as his security detail appear in different sections of the Bridge, with weapons raised. "Do not move, and no one will be hurt!"
Usagi, Garret and Castillio did not move, as did the rest of the Bridge crew.
"What's the meaning of this?" Garret demanded.
"I will ask the questions. State your name, rank and purpose."
"I…I am Captain Rachel Garret of the Federation starship Enterprise-C. We were on a routine survey mission when we responded to a Klingon distress signal on Narenda III. The outpost there was attacked by the Romulans. Outnumbered, Warrant Officer Tsukino-"
"Wait! Did you just say 'Tsukino'? As in 'Usagi Tsukino'?"
Garret was about to refuse to answer Riker's questions, but Castillio absently turned his head in Usagi's direction.
Riker looks at Usagi, then he signaled his men to holster their weapons. The First Officer then stepped forth into Usagi's presence…and bowed in front of the Science Officer.
"Empress Serenity, I apologize for my rudeness. However, I needed to be sure that this ship is not a trap for our forces."
"What?" Usagi replied. Something was definitely not right.
Tbc.
Author's note: Essentially, I'm combining two different episodes "Yesterday's Enterprise" and "Mirror, Mirror" (and other related episodes) to create a different take on things (rather than just rehash stuff). What I am doing is weaving several plot points so that everything involving Sela is linked. Hopefully, it'll pay off. Also, I'm setting things up for the upcoming DS9 Saga that features the Mirror Universe, as well as what happened to whom and why.
On another note, I might have to create a new story (a Book II perhaps?) to further Ranma's story, or simply extend the chapters to 120. There's just WAY too much stuff that I need to elaborate upon (example is that I have yet to do the DS9 and Voyager Sagas, as well as the totally "original" adventures of Ranma Saotome that has no basis in any episodes that has already been seen on TV and in movies). Heck, there's practically virgin territory in the Mirror Universe alone, not to mention stuff that has happened to Ranma between the 24th and 31st centuries (stuff that I have already outlined. I mean, Ranma fate is being written in "Sailor Moon ST" (chapter 100), "SMST: The Galactic Far-Gate Affair", "SMST: Hero Unlimited" and "SMST: Hero Unlimited Next" (allfour of these stories take place on Earth circa 2005-6)...although those stories are more Usagi Tsukino-centric than Ranma Saotome-centric. I have much to think about. Sigh.
Anyway, see you next time!